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Baby Zest: Banana Yoghurt Pancakes

Is it just my DD – aka Dear Daughter for those of you not so well versed in the world of Internet acronyms. I only learnt this last year when I spent my “spare” time between being a glorified cow, washer woman and pacifier, trawling through numerous Kids Buy/Sell Facebook sites (BNWOT, NWT, EUC, WTS etc- it’s a whole language! If you want to know what these are, leave me a message) If you haven’t caught onto these sites, you’re missing out (don’t ask Jason for his opinion – men do not understand!:)). Being a sucker for a good deal (saving $$ on toys surely makes up for not working, right?), it gave me the much needed motivation to practice my driving to pick up my bargains from all over the Inner West. I can even read maps now and no longer have to write myself turn-by-turn directions!!! Sorry, I completely digress – I will start again.

Is it just my DD or can kids be terribly fickle? By lunchtime the other day our kitchen bench looked like a smorgasbord from a distance. On closer inspection, it was a trail of dishes and bowls of food discarded at varying stages of consumption. I imagine Miss One’s thoughts today went something like this:

How could you possibly think you can serve rice bubbles in the same bowl as weetbix?
I don’t know why you think I like raspberries, I already ate half the punnet yesterday?
There’s something different with these grapes, they’re just not cut right or something.
Mmm, finally! Carrot rice crackers was what I’ve been trying to tell you for the last five minutes! Why do you think I was thrashing about on the floor?
I like my milk at precisely 25°C, don’t you know that by now?
Wahhh!!!! The risotto is finished?!?!? More!!!! Now!!!!
Chicken again? Yuck! I had chicken last night!

Being a sucker for punishment (or perhaps that’s just being a mother) I persist in trying to find the elusive thing Miss One might feel like each day. So I set out today to make an enticing afternoon snack.

Bananas are a handy staple in our household these days ever since Miss One has learnt to hold and eat a whole banana by herself. The humble fruit has become my peace offering to the often overtired, slightly cranky princess at daycare pickup. After perusing the fridge for other ingredients, today’s creation is banana yogurt pancakes – my heart set on getting plenty of dairy into Miss One’s diet (still feeling a pang of guilt for stopping the breast feeds). It was inspired by one of our weekend breakfast favourites, blueberry buttermilk pancakes. I decided to use yoghurt (we didn’t have buttermilk – but always have a tub of natural yoghurt in the fridge) which conveniently is higher in both protein and calcium than buttermilk . The banana is a very effective sweetener and, with a bit of vanilla, the pancakes were very tasty without the need for any sugar.

The result was really good. The texture and taste was similar to using buttermilk – soft with a bit of a sour tang which I love. I must say these are quite a healthy sweet treat: banana, yoghurt, no sugar, how could you feel guilty?! And thank goodness, Miss One loved them too! She hoovered through three of them easily and there were plenty for us to have as afternoon tea as well: bonus!

So give them a go next time you have a spare banana and you need a quick and easy treat for the bub (or yourself).

Baby Zest: Banana Yoghurt Pancakes

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 15 mins

Total time: 25 mins

Serves: 16 mini pancakes

A healthy but delicious afternoon treat for bubs and parents alike!

Ingredients

1 banana

1/2 cup natural yoghurt

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

2/3 cup self-raising flour

30ml water

Butter for cooking

Instructions

In a medium sized mixing bowl, mash the banana.

Add the yogurt, egg and vanilla essence and stir well to combine.

Sift in the flour in two batches, mixing well after each. If your batter is still a little thick add water a bit at a time to make it smoother.

Heat up non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Melt a little butter in pan then dollop a tablespoon of batter for each pancake. You should be able to fit a few in the pan at a time.

Once the batter starts bubbling, flip over and cook for another minute or so until nicely browned.